One Night Love (Whiskey Run Sugar 1)

I sit cuddled under his arm as we watch the next ride. Becca excuses herself and climbs down the bleachers. I look at Emery, and she explains by mouthing bathroom to me.

I nod and settle back in. Two rides go by, and Becca’s still not back. “I hope Becca’s okay.”

As soon as the words leave my mouth, Becca’s walking back toward us with a cowboy hot on her tail. Her face is red, and I can’t help but watch curiously. The cowboy is obviously one of the riders. He’s covered in dirt and in full gear, chaps and all, but that doesn’t stop him from climbing up the bleachers behind Becca. He stops and wait for her to sit down between Violet and Emery.

He takes his hat off and holds it to his chest. “You okay now?”

Becca juts her chin out. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just embarrassed. You didn’t have to carry me.”

Emery gasps. “Becca! Are you okay? What happened?”

Becca shakes her head. “I tripped coming from the bathroom, and then there was a stampede of people that tried to get by me. This guy”—she points at the cowboy—“decided the best course of action was to pick me up and try to carry me back to my seat.”

The blond cowboy smiles. “It was my pleasure, Becca.” He seems pleased, drawing out her name. He must have tried to get it, and Becca wasn’t giving it.

She looks at Emery and presses her lips together and then her teeth when she looks at the cowboy again. “I wasn’t thanking you.”

The dirty look doesn’t even faze him. “It was still my pleasure.”

The announcers come over the speaker. “Up next is a fan favorite. We’re going to take a little break, and then Lucas Granger will be riding Rampage. Hold on to your hats, it’s going to be a helluva ride.”

“That’s you!” Emery says, pointing up at the Jumbotron.

The cowboy turns and then looks back with a smile. “Yep, it is.” He points at Becca. “You going to wish me luck?”

Becca rolls her eyes, clearly not falling for the cowboy. “Sure, good luck,” she drawls.

He just laughs. He puts one foot on the higher step and leans over. “So how about a wager?”

We’re all looking between Lucas and Becca. He’s completely, one hundred percent, enamored with her, and she looks as if she’s bored. Even though her cheeks do have a slight tinge to them.

“I’m not making a bet with you.”

He shakes his head. “Not a bet. But how about if I stay on Rampage the eight seconds, you’ll give me your number?”

Becca looks surprised but recovers quickly. “Sorry, but I’m not interested.”

He stands up to his full height. “Well, at least stick around and watch. I have a feeling you’re going to be my good luck charm.”

She shrugs, and Lucas puts his hat back on his head. “I’ll see you later, Becca. It was nice seein’ you all. Thanks for coming out.”

He walks down the steps, and all eyes are on Becca until she starts to squirm. “What? You all about ready to go?”

I laugh. “You can’t leave yet. You may just be his good luck charm.”

She ignores me, and it doesn’t take long for Lucas to get down to the arena and up in the starting point. The bull he’s riding is huge and already mad. The countdown is quick, and before we know it, the shute opens, and Lucas and the bull come barreling out. He holds on, and while everyone’s watching him, I’m watching Becca. She’s interested. It’s plainly written on her face as she scoots forward, watching from the edge of her seat. When the eight seconds are over, we all jump up, even Becca, and cheer. It was phenomenal.

And Lucas stands up on the rings of the fence and points up to Becca and then holds his fingers to his ear like he’s holding a phone. He wants her number.

“Okay, that’s enough. Eyes on me,” Matt says, kissing the side of my neck.

I turn. “Take me home.”

He squints. “If you want to stay...”

I shake my head. “Nope, I have no doubt in my mind that Violet’s going to make sure that cowboy gets Becca’s number. It’s time for us to go.” I wiggle my eyebrows at him.

He normally laughs at my antics, but not this time. He grabs my hand. “We’re leaving, guys.”

He all but drags me down the steps as we holler bye at everyone. “In a hurry?” I ask him.

“In a hurry to make our engagement official.”

I loop my arm through his as he navigates us through the crowd of people. “And how do you plan to do that?”

As soon as we get out the door and are on the way to the truck, I ask him again. “Huh, what’s your plan? How are you making this official?”